Commemorating World War l in Epworth

Events to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the Great War have begun with the lighting of the Epworth Beacon.

The lighting took place close to Maw’s Mill on land owned by the Wainwrights, who will allow access from Station Road.

Today an exhibition of art, photographs, artefacts and poetry on the theme of ‘Epworth Remembers’ will open at 10am at the Wesley Memorial Church Schoolroom. An audio-visual presentation by George Fidler will be included.

At 11am a war memorial plaque will be placed at the Memorial Field in Epworth, and shops throughout Epworth will display their own commemoration of individual soldiers in their windows.

Tomorrow (Sunday) at 10.30am, there will be a special service of dedication at St Andrew’s Parish Church for a book charting the family, life death and resting place of each of 53 soldiers from Epworth who died as a result of the great War. Records of seven men who died in World War Two are also included.

The hand-sewn leather book, researched and put together by Bob Fish of Epworth, will be displayed in a specially crafted case within the chancel. It was produced by Blissetts of London, bookbinders to the Queen (by Royal Warrant).

Representatives from Epworth Town Council and the Royal British Legion have been invited to the dedication.

Rector of Epworth, the Rev Ian Walker, said: “Epworth owes a debt of thanks to Mr Bob Fish who has worked hard to bring this project to fruition.” Copies of the book will be on sale from Saturday at the Wesley Memorial Church Schoolroom.

A World War One exhibition will be held at the parish church from September 11 to 14 and anyone wishing to help or to contribute artefacts should contact Melvyn Rose on 01427 872080.

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